Wow is it really Christmas time? We are currently in Miami staying at a nice place on North beach. We are taking the time to relax, reflect and recharge for our next stay in Haiti. It has really been a great time to talk and think about the last four months we spent in Haiti. So much happened we got to know a number of wonderful people who work at Haiti Arise and/or attend church there. We were blessed and stretched in many different ways.
Not surprisingly we had culture shock when we arrived in Miami. The roads are in great condition, every thing is very orderly, and there are a lot of nice cars and houses. It is really in striking contrast to the place we just left and it is very hard to connect the two worlds. I think that can be one of the hardest things in coming to Haiti and then going back to Canada/US. How do you live differently in North America after seeing people living their lives with so much less (materially) and yet many still happy. It can especially be hard at Christmas time when a lot of the focus on the television is buying this or that to make someone happy. Is that what we need is more stuff? Needless to say it's hard to connect the two worlds.
So we are spending our time here reading at the beach and going for a swim from time to time. We are also enjoying eating some of the little treats we were unable to get in Haiti. We are enjoying some fresh Florida oranges yogurt and chocolate. It's really a treat to get to eat some of these things. We are also both looking forward to seeing a Miami Heat basketball game vs the NY Nicks on Dec 28. We originally looking at going to the Dominican Republic during the Christmas break to see the rest of the island we have been living on, but then Becca said something about a NBA game which peeked my interest (I'm a big fan). So we are very much looking forward to that. Chris
Rebecca here just saying hello and Merry Christmas. It's been a lovely time here so far. Actually a little cool, we've been hiding indoors in the evenings because we don't have enough warm clothes. I can not believe how acclimatized we are to hot weather. I am so thankful for this time of rest. Even our last week at Haiti Arise was busy with the staff Christmas party, Anel's wedding and prepping things for the children's programs. Both Tapion and our church Sunday school wanted to have a Christmas party so we had to make sure everything was together for them. Well that's all I have at the moment Chris already gave you his thoughts for the day. Many Blessings to all and thank you for your thoughts and prayers.
Merry Christmas~
Love Rebecca
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Thursday, December 9, 2010
December News
It seems I have been neglecting the blog. But I am here now so bear with me as I give a rather large update. Just so you all know everyone here at Haiti Arise is safe and well. I know the media is telling otherwise. With cholera and the election results. Yes there are some uprising happening but it's mostly located in PAP. So we are all very thankful, praise God for his protective hand over Grand Goave.
About a week ago the last team of 2010 (Surrey Alliance) left Haiti. We had a really great time with them. We were able to go out in the community a number of times to visit and to evangelize. A few of the guys built bunk beds for one of the rooms upstairs. The ladies finished painting the inside of the elementary school. One highlight was on last Thursday we had the opportunity to visit the homes of our kitchen staff. We prayed with each ladies family and over their home . It was such a great time. Lucianna one of our cooks is having a new home built so we went to the plot of land which is near Haiti Arise and prayed over it. The home building is slowly starting to happen and it's exciting to see who will receive a new home.
The past week has been quite restful but eventful as well. We went to Jacmaal on Tuesday and had a great time at Basin Blue. It's a beautiful water fall that you can swim and cliff jump into, at one point it is 75ft deep. The ride up to the falls is quite bumpy and adventuresome but everyone with us was up for the challenge. We also went for a meal at this nice hotel. I forget the name, but the food was amazing and for a few minutes I forgot I was in Haiti. At one point I felt a bit guilty for being there when people just outside the gates are living in shanties and we were enjoying this treat. But I think back to the building at Haiti Arise it's beautiful and comfortable and the people living outside the gates live in shanties too. Anyways it's hard, but a reality and I am still not sure what I think about it all. I really like Jacmaal and hope to go back at some point next year just to see the city more and the ocean. I keep hearing about the amazing snorkeling. :)
Wednesday and Thursday were spent helping Anel (Marc's nephew) paint his house. It is looking really great he has done such a good job getting it finished. He was supposed to get married today but with all that's going on in PAP many of his fiancees family wouldn't be able to come and they didn't have all the dresses from the PAP dry cleaners either. So it has been post poned until Tuesday, I think anyways. Really and truly you have to go with the flow here. Everything changes so much everyday. I continue to say that the only constant here in change. Like we have a few people from Canada who are supposed to fly out on Monday. American airlines has cancelled flights until Tuesday. So these people can not fly out until the 16th (Thursday). So we always have to be ready for change and be flexible because you never know what can happen. So please pray for peace and stability to be restores in Haiti. Also thank Him for his continued protection over us here in Grand Goave. Also that we'd be able to fly out next week with out any problems.
Thanks for reading~
Rebecca
About a week ago the last team of 2010 (Surrey Alliance) left Haiti. We had a really great time with them. We were able to go out in the community a number of times to visit and to evangelize. A few of the guys built bunk beds for one of the rooms upstairs. The ladies finished painting the inside of the elementary school. One highlight was on last Thursday we had the opportunity to visit the homes of our kitchen staff. We prayed with each ladies family and over their home . It was such a great time. Lucianna one of our cooks is having a new home built so we went to the plot of land which is near Haiti Arise and prayed over it. The home building is slowly starting to happen and it's exciting to see who will receive a new home.
The past week has been quite restful but eventful as well. We went to Jacmaal on Tuesday and had a great time at Basin Blue. It's a beautiful water fall that you can swim and cliff jump into, at one point it is 75ft deep. The ride up to the falls is quite bumpy and adventuresome but everyone with us was up for the challenge. We also went for a meal at this nice hotel. I forget the name, but the food was amazing and for a few minutes I forgot I was in Haiti. At one point I felt a bit guilty for being there when people just outside the gates are living in shanties and we were enjoying this treat. But I think back to the building at Haiti Arise it's beautiful and comfortable and the people living outside the gates live in shanties too. Anyways it's hard, but a reality and I am still not sure what I think about it all. I really like Jacmaal and hope to go back at some point next year just to see the city more and the ocean. I keep hearing about the amazing snorkeling. :)
Wednesday and Thursday were spent helping Anel (Marc's nephew) paint his house. It is looking really great he has done such a good job getting it finished. He was supposed to get married today but with all that's going on in PAP many of his fiancees family wouldn't be able to come and they didn't have all the dresses from the PAP dry cleaners either. So it has been post poned until Tuesday, I think anyways. Really and truly you have to go with the flow here. Everything changes so much everyday. I continue to say that the only constant here in change. Like we have a few people from Canada who are supposed to fly out on Monday. American airlines has cancelled flights until Tuesday. So these people can not fly out until the 16th (Thursday). So we always have to be ready for change and be flexible because you never know what can happen. So please pray for peace and stability to be restores in Haiti. Also thank Him for his continued protection over us here in Grand Goave. Also that we'd be able to fly out next week with out any problems.
Thanks for reading~
Rebecca
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Walking and talking with the people.
Prayer is powerful, it can change you heart and mind in an instant. One minute you feel hopeless and down the next refreshed and renewed because you took your burden and gave it to the Lord.
Sometimes that's how the days and moments go here but I am learning so much. I can't even begin to tell you about all the teachable moments and blessings I have had recently.
We have a new team here from Surrey BC. Yesterday was so encouraging we split up into 4 teams and went out to visit the people. Our purpose was sharing Christ and that happened. God is moving in peoples hearts, a couple of adults accepted Christ who seemed to be waiting for someone to come and pray with them. So the angels were singing praises in heaven yesterday afternoon. It was truly a blessing to see some of the people we know from church in their homes. I had one teacher from the elementary school ask me to come and meet his wife and see his home. What a privilege and blessing, you could see all the hard work he put into building it and how they care for it. I am so thankful that God has given me the opportunity to serve and be here in Haiti at this time. (Also for giving me some Creole to be able to communicate.)
On our particular walk we met an old man named Bon Bass (Good Bass) who wanted prayer and to be sure Jesus was his savior. This man truly touched my heart. Half blind, no shoes, skin and bones but with a heart wanting the Lord. We prayed with him and for him and today I was able to bless him with a few clothing items and shoes. I know I could worry and think about his particular situation a lot but that wouldn't do me any good. I needed to pray and ask the Lord to look after this man. Most importantly knowing that his soul is secure in Jesus has given me peace. We also met a few people willing to listen to us realizing that their eternal security is important but they had lots of excuses for not being ready. We had no one wave us off or tell us to get lost or that they didn't want to talk. They want to talk here they know about God and the devil, it's real. ~Please pray for those we witnessed to and those who accepted Christ. That God would continue to move in their hearts and cause them to see their need for a savior.
It's so good to be out in the community with the people. We need to do it more. They are lovely and the kids are always excited to see us.
Having the elementary school here has been a blessing to the teams and children. Right now as I am writing the team is painting the inside of the classrooms and it's going to look amazing. Also this afternoon we are spending some time with the young girls from the church doing beading and nail painting. The guys are making bunk beds, helping with the medical clinic, and a few other odd jobs around the compound. Tomorrow the team is going to cook dinner for the whole Haiti Arise staff. I am super excited about this and I think the kitchen ladies are especially happy. We are even going to have cake with icing. (Chris and I are looking forward to that part! :)
Well that's what has been and is happening around here.
Please continue to pray as the elections are coming on Sunday and also for cholera, I keep seeing stories about it getting worse.
I am also thinking about my dear friends in S.Korea right now. May God be with you all as you trust Him for safety. There are many situations all over the world that need prayer. Oh Come Lord Jesus Come! But we must remember there is still lots of good things happening even though those stories don't always get reported. So Praise the Lord too! Have a great weekend.
Love Rebecca
Sometimes that's how the days and moments go here but I am learning so much. I can't even begin to tell you about all the teachable moments and blessings I have had recently.
We have a new team here from Surrey BC. Yesterday was so encouraging we split up into 4 teams and went out to visit the people. Our purpose was sharing Christ and that happened. God is moving in peoples hearts, a couple of adults accepted Christ who seemed to be waiting for someone to come and pray with them. So the angels were singing praises in heaven yesterday afternoon. It was truly a blessing to see some of the people we know from church in their homes. I had one teacher from the elementary school ask me to come and meet his wife and see his home. What a privilege and blessing, you could see all the hard work he put into building it and how they care for it. I am so thankful that God has given me the opportunity to serve and be here in Haiti at this time. (Also for giving me some Creole to be able to communicate.)
On our particular walk we met an old man named Bon Bass (Good Bass) who wanted prayer and to be sure Jesus was his savior. This man truly touched my heart. Half blind, no shoes, skin and bones but with a heart wanting the Lord. We prayed with him and for him and today I was able to bless him with a few clothing items and shoes. I know I could worry and think about his particular situation a lot but that wouldn't do me any good. I needed to pray and ask the Lord to look after this man. Most importantly knowing that his soul is secure in Jesus has given me peace. We also met a few people willing to listen to us realizing that their eternal security is important but they had lots of excuses for not being ready. We had no one wave us off or tell us to get lost or that they didn't want to talk. They want to talk here they know about God and the devil, it's real. ~Please pray for those we witnessed to and those who accepted Christ. That God would continue to move in their hearts and cause them to see their need for a savior.
It's so good to be out in the community with the people. We need to do it more. They are lovely and the kids are always excited to see us.
Having the elementary school here has been a blessing to the teams and children. Right now as I am writing the team is painting the inside of the classrooms and it's going to look amazing. Also this afternoon we are spending some time with the young girls from the church doing beading and nail painting. The guys are making bunk beds, helping with the medical clinic, and a few other odd jobs around the compound. Tomorrow the team is going to cook dinner for the whole Haiti Arise staff. I am super excited about this and I think the kitchen ladies are especially happy. We are even going to have cake with icing. (Chris and I are looking forward to that part! :)
Well that's what has been and is happening around here.
Please continue to pray as the elections are coming on Sunday and also for cholera, I keep seeing stories about it getting worse.
I am also thinking about my dear friends in S.Korea right now. May God be with you all as you trust Him for safety. There are many situations all over the world that need prayer. Oh Come Lord Jesus Come! But we must remember there is still lots of good things happening even though those stories don't always get reported. So Praise the Lord too! Have a great weekend.
Love Rebecca
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
3 months already!
Hello from Haiti on this fine day in November. Well, Chris and I have been in Haiti for 3 months today. I can not believe how fast that went. It almost feels like we have been here for longer than 3 months, just with everything that has happened since we arrived.
The medical team and Nowochin family left today. So it's very quiet in the building today. It's good because we do need a rest before the next team comes on Tuesday. I definitely think the medical teams efforts were successful. So many people in the community received treatment for all kinds of illnesses. It was the 8th or 9th time Dr. Bob had been here so everything ran really smoothly. I got to help out with all kinds of random jobs from making photocopies to cleaning up pee on the clinic floor.
Chris has been faithfully helping out with construction. He seems to be the go to guy for going to get gas and diesel in town. He's also been great at helping with the power problems in the building. Sometimes the inverter and generator do not run well together and shorts keep happening within the electrical system so sometimes we don't have power or good water pressure.
I just want to say to all of you that are coming down to Haiti in the new year that when we have good water pressure and proper power that we really need to be thankful. It's a blessing and shouldn't be expected, just walk outside the compound walls and you will see that no other person around has these luxuries, so we really need to be sure we are thankful for what we have and not complain if something does happen. Be prepared to be stretched and taken out of your comfort zone during the time you are here. God will help you and be your strength while you are serving here. I really felt in my heart to write about this so I hope it's helpful.
I am so encouraged to watch the medical clinic continue to go up. They are almost finished phase 1 of the building. The workers are understanding the new design and Kathleen has really been encouraging and the driving force behind the progress, it's really awesome to see. Next week she will have more help as the Surrey Alliance team is coming and some of the guys will be working with her. I am sure lots more will get finished.
The Nowochin family (Charles, Nicole, Noah, and Anica) were a great encouragement to Chris and I while they were here. They are an awesome family and we admire the way Charles and Nicole have raised there children and care about each other. They were definitely an example to the church here and they helped out in a lot of ways. I hope they have a great trip home and that God continues to bless them for their faithfulness to his word.
Continue to pray for us as we all serve here.
~For the needed rest for all of us between the teams, for wisdom on making decisions for January and the new year.
~For God's leading and guiding in everything that is happening here.
~Thank Him for safety of all the workers and teams and the good health he is giving us. Praise the Lord for that!
~Also there are important elections coming up at the end of the month. The people need to vote wisely and this country needs a good government to come to power and help its' country.
~Also that the cholera would stop in Jesus name that no more lives would be lost and that it wouldn't spread any further.
Thank you for your prayers and for taking time to read this. God bless you all~
In His Service, Rebecca
The medical team and Nowochin family left today. So it's very quiet in the building today. It's good because we do need a rest before the next team comes on Tuesday. I definitely think the medical teams efforts were successful. So many people in the community received treatment for all kinds of illnesses. It was the 8th or 9th time Dr. Bob had been here so everything ran really smoothly. I got to help out with all kinds of random jobs from making photocopies to cleaning up pee on the clinic floor.
Chris has been faithfully helping out with construction. He seems to be the go to guy for going to get gas and diesel in town. He's also been great at helping with the power problems in the building. Sometimes the inverter and generator do not run well together and shorts keep happening within the electrical system so sometimes we don't have power or good water pressure.
I just want to say to all of you that are coming down to Haiti in the new year that when we have good water pressure and proper power that we really need to be thankful. It's a blessing and shouldn't be expected, just walk outside the compound walls and you will see that no other person around has these luxuries, so we really need to be sure we are thankful for what we have and not complain if something does happen. Be prepared to be stretched and taken out of your comfort zone during the time you are here. God will help you and be your strength while you are serving here. I really felt in my heart to write about this so I hope it's helpful.
I am so encouraged to watch the medical clinic continue to go up. They are almost finished phase 1 of the building. The workers are understanding the new design and Kathleen has really been encouraging and the driving force behind the progress, it's really awesome to see. Next week she will have more help as the Surrey Alliance team is coming and some of the guys will be working with her. I am sure lots more will get finished.
The Nowochin family (Charles, Nicole, Noah, and Anica) were a great encouragement to Chris and I while they were here. They are an awesome family and we admire the way Charles and Nicole have raised there children and care about each other. They were definitely an example to the church here and they helped out in a lot of ways. I hope they have a great trip home and that God continues to bless them for their faithfulness to his word.
Continue to pray for us as we all serve here.
~For the needed rest for all of us between the teams, for wisdom on making decisions for January and the new year.
~For God's leading and guiding in everything that is happening here.
~Thank Him for safety of all the workers and teams and the good health he is giving us. Praise the Lord for that!
~Also there are important elections coming up at the end of the month. The people need to vote wisely and this country needs a good government to come to power and help its' country.
~Also that the cholera would stop in Jesus name that no more lives would be lost and that it wouldn't spread any further.
Thank you for your prayers and for taking time to read this. God bless you all~
In His Service, Rebecca
Thursday, November 11, 2010
News~
It's a beautiful sunny day here in Haiti. Blue sky and a cool breeze wow can't get any better than this. I am thankful for the cooler nights and days that the winter months bring.
So here we are in the midst of the medical clinic. Overall it's been going really well. The threat of the hurricane last week really kept people away but this week the people are coming. The whole downstairs of the compound is turned into a clinic. They have a pharmacy room, storage room and 2 check up rooms. Our office is in the midst of it all so we've converted our bedroom into a makeshift office for the moment. It's just to busy with people walking by and I don't want to be in the way.
The way the clinic works is we give out tickets for each day. 20 tickets per hour, 8-11 and 1-3. So the doctors and nurses are seeing about 120 patients a day. The people are supposed to come at the hour it says on the ticket but, they don't always come on time, so that creates a bit of a wait. Most of the people are treated for illness. We don't see very many injuries. Lots of babies come and they are super cute. Yesterday we had a lady come to the clinic who was experiencing chest and breast pain. The doctors found that she has cancer and there is nothing they can do for her. So Marc Lisa Geanne and I prayed with her. I can only hope that she left with peace in her heart from the Lord. It was intense.
The medical clinic continues to progress. There is now one whole room/section installed. It looks pretty good, I will get a couple new pictures on the blog tomorrow. The school is finished being painted and it looks really sharp. It is really encouraging to see all the progress and changes around here. It's exciting to be a part of this ministry. Challenging too as we all face trials during the day. We are finding that these trials are truly character shaping as often our true colors come out. We find out where we need God's help and then ask him for his mercy to do the work in our lives. I am also learning I need to be willing to have God work in my life and not just pray or say the words.
Since today is Remembrance Day in Canada we are going to have a service here in about 15 min. The team really wants to do something to remember. I think that's great because last year we were in Korea and didn't really think about it at all. I just have to say I am thankful for being born and raised in Canada. We have so much freedom and things to be thankful for there. Truly blessed! :)
Well that's all for today.
Thanks for reading!
Rebecca
So here we are in the midst of the medical clinic. Overall it's been going really well. The threat of the hurricane last week really kept people away but this week the people are coming. The whole downstairs of the compound is turned into a clinic. They have a pharmacy room, storage room and 2 check up rooms. Our office is in the midst of it all so we've converted our bedroom into a makeshift office for the moment. It's just to busy with people walking by and I don't want to be in the way.
The way the clinic works is we give out tickets for each day. 20 tickets per hour, 8-11 and 1-3. So the doctors and nurses are seeing about 120 patients a day. The people are supposed to come at the hour it says on the ticket but, they don't always come on time, so that creates a bit of a wait. Most of the people are treated for illness. We don't see very many injuries. Lots of babies come and they are super cute. Yesterday we had a lady come to the clinic who was experiencing chest and breast pain. The doctors found that she has cancer and there is nothing they can do for her. So Marc Lisa Geanne and I prayed with her. I can only hope that she left with peace in her heart from the Lord. It was intense.
The medical clinic continues to progress. There is now one whole room/section installed. It looks pretty good, I will get a couple new pictures on the blog tomorrow. The school is finished being painted and it looks really sharp. It is really encouraging to see all the progress and changes around here. It's exciting to be a part of this ministry. Challenging too as we all face trials during the day. We are finding that these trials are truly character shaping as often our true colors come out. We find out where we need God's help and then ask him for his mercy to do the work in our lives. I am also learning I need to be willing to have God work in my life and not just pray or say the words.
Since today is Remembrance Day in Canada we are going to have a service here in about 15 min. The team really wants to do something to remember. I think that's great because last year we were in Korea and didn't really think about it at all. I just have to say I am thankful for being born and raised in Canada. We have so much freedom and things to be thankful for there. Truly blessed! :)
Well that's all for today.
Thanks for reading!
Rebecca
Saturday, November 6, 2010
He's got the whole world in His hands.
"Have mercy on me, Oh God, have mercy! I look to you for protection. I will hide beneath the shadow of your wings until this violent storm is passed (Psalm 57:1).
Yesterday we woke with the news that hurricane Tomas was heading our way. We started to move materials into safer places. We put down the tent that would surely fly away, and made other preparations for the storm. By the afternoon, the rain had stopped, and the wind had slowed down. We checked the 'hurricane watch' on the net, and it had turned North! Praise the Lord.
Last night while watching a movie, we thought we heard an airplane flying outside. As we went outside to listen, we realized it was the winds from the storm. Where we were sitting not even one leaf was moving in the trees, it was totally still. But we heard the storm raging nearby. God gave Becca the verse above to trust in and meditate on. Praise the Lord, the storm has passed and all is intact. We must remember to pray for those who did get hit by the hurricane and the floods as well. For those living in tents the rain can surely be too much, Lord have mercy on them.
So back to our 'normal schedule.' The medical clinic is busy today and they are treating many patients. I am currently preparing to speak tomorrow at church. I just hope that it doesn't rain, and we can have church. If it rains here, people like to stay home. It gets too muddy and not many people have umbrellas. Rain days here are comparable to really cold, snow days back in Canada (the prairies that is :). So if God wants church to happen tomorrow, he will hold back the rain.
Our time here is going by so fast, and it is hard to keep track of all that we've done or are going to do. We've learned that the only constant we have is change (besides God's unchanging faithfulness and goodness in our lives :). So we live each day asking God to allow us to serve, and continue to be flexible to whatever the day will bring about. One day it is sunny the next a hurricane is threatening. But through it all we are learning to trust in Him who brought us here. What a blessed time it is!
In His Service,
Chris Girvan.
Yesterday we woke with the news that hurricane Tomas was heading our way. We started to move materials into safer places. We put down the tent that would surely fly away, and made other preparations for the storm. By the afternoon, the rain had stopped, and the wind had slowed down. We checked the 'hurricane watch' on the net, and it had turned North! Praise the Lord.
Last night while watching a movie, we thought we heard an airplane flying outside. As we went outside to listen, we realized it was the winds from the storm. Where we were sitting not even one leaf was moving in the trees, it was totally still. But we heard the storm raging nearby. God gave Becca the verse above to trust in and meditate on. Praise the Lord, the storm has passed and all is intact. We must remember to pray for those who did get hit by the hurricane and the floods as well. For those living in tents the rain can surely be too much, Lord have mercy on them.
So back to our 'normal schedule.' The medical clinic is busy today and they are treating many patients. I am currently preparing to speak tomorrow at church. I just hope that it doesn't rain, and we can have church. If it rains here, people like to stay home. It gets too muddy and not many people have umbrellas. Rain days here are comparable to really cold, snow days back in Canada (the prairies that is :). So if God wants church to happen tomorrow, he will hold back the rain.
Our time here is going by so fast, and it is hard to keep track of all that we've done or are going to do. We've learned that the only constant we have is change (besides God's unchanging faithfulness and goodness in our lives :). So we live each day asking God to allow us to serve, and continue to be flexible to whatever the day will bring about. One day it is sunny the next a hurricane is threatening. But through it all we are learning to trust in Him who brought us here. What a blessed time it is!
In His Service,
Chris Girvan.
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